Disney Movie Review: *****The Lion King 1994

 The Lion King is a fantastic movie and deserves great praise.  This was when aDisney was making good movies and they all seemed to hit.  The Lion King (child Jonathon Taylor Thomas, adult Matthew Broderick) runs away when his father, Mufasa (James Earl Jones) is killed, thinking he will be blamed.  It was actually Scar (Jim Cummings) who killed his father with the help of the hyenas.  Simba meets a couple friends, Timon (Nathan Lane) and Pumbaa (Ernie Sabella) A meerkat and a warthog.  Simba grows up with these two friends who teach him to not worry about anything.  It is only when he is visited by his childhood love, Nala (child Niketa Calame-Harris, adult Moira Kelly that he is reminded of his responsibilities.  However it is the baboon sage, Rafiki (Robert Guillaume) that the Lion is inspired to return to the Pride Lands and reclaim his kingdom from Scar and the hyenas.

This story has a very good theme--remembering who you are.  I really enjoyed this movie.

Christmas Movie Review: ***^Red One (2024)

 Santa (J.K. Simmons) has been kidnapped.  Callum Drift (Dwayne Johnson) as head of security is in charge of getting him back.  Zoe (Lucy Liu) head of the Mythological Oversight and Restoration Authority announces what has happened, and provides information to Callum about who hacked their system, Jack O'Malley (Chris Evans).  They go to visit him and he indicates he didn't know what he was hacking, and the buyer was anonymous.  Zoe hires Jack to help with the pursuit and places a tracker on him,  He is working with Callum who is reluctant to take him along.  However using Jack they find Ted (Nick Kroll) an information broker.  He divulges Gryla (Kiernan Shipka), the winter witch as the buyer.  As soon as Gryla's name is pronounced she is able to perceive this and sends snow monsters.  Ted is frozen.  They then travel to the home of Krampus (Kristofer Hivju), Santa's estranged adopted brother.  He is Gryla's ex.  He always thought things should be rougher for those on the naughty list.  Krampus is not involved, but Gryla has borrowed from him the Glaskäfig, which can be used to trap someone naughty.  Santa is in a similar device which zaps his magical power and keeps him unconscious.  Gryla wants to punish anyone who has been on the naughty list.  She tests this on Jack and his estranged son Dylan (Wesley Kimmel).  Being in adjoining Glaskäfig cells they are able to talk.  As they talk they warm up to each other.  The Glaskäfig begins to melt as they are no longer naughty and they are freed.

In tracking Jack's tracker they discover he is at the North Pole.  Santa has been held there the whole time, as have the elves and Mrs. Clause (Bonnie Hunt).  Gryla's sons have been helping her.  The rescue Santa and a big confrontation ensues, in which Santa is able to capture Gryla with the help of the elves.  Then on to save Christmas.

I found this to be an enjoyable Christmas movie but not a classic.  

***The New Mutants (2020)

 I think this is the least enjoyed of the mutant franchise; as manifested by its poor showing at the box office.  The plot is not very much like the other movies in this franchise.  Dani Moonstar wakes up one morning in a locked facility, her hands cuffed to the wall.  Dr. Reyes releases her and then she is introduced to four other residents.  They all have special mutant skills, but all have their own demons.  Rahne is a werewolf type being, Illyana can go across dimension and controls a magical sword and dragon, Sam has super speed and project himself into the air, Roberto can control solar energy, which makes him very, very hot at times.  The skill of Dani is not yet defined.  However after she arrives everyone is having lifelike dreams.  They in fact are real dreams of their worst fear or experience.  Dr. Reyes appears to be the only staff on site.  She too has a power to manipulate energy to make protective fields around herself or others.  She has put such a force field around the school so no one can escape.  

Finally Dr. Reyes gets the order to put Dani down as the decide there is no way to control her power.  this is when all havoc breaks loss.

This movie is much more like a horror movie than an action movie like the other X-Men movie.  And of course the elephant in the room is the first openly gay relationship in an X-Men movie.  This is likely why it did so poorly at the box office; This and bring released during COVID.

	Maisie Williams	...	Rahne Sinclair
	Anya Taylor-Joy	...	Illyana Rasputin
	Charlie Heaton	...	Sam Guthrie
	Alice Braga	...	Dr. Reyes
	Blu Hunt	...	Dani Moonstar
	Henrique Zaga	...	Roberto da Costa (as Henry Zaga)

***Mufasa: The Lion King (2024)

 I saw Mufasa at the movie theater.  It goes a long way to explain where Mufasa (Aaron Pierre) came from, and why Scar (Kelvin Harrison Jr.) was persona non grata at the beginning of Lion King.  Mufasa was carried away by a flood, away from his family; and was rescued from the river by flood and some crocodiles by Taka who becomes Scar.  Taka is a lion prince.  However when a different lion pride invades their land, Scar and Mufasa are left to fend for themselves as Taka's parents are killed.  The leader of this new pride, Kiros (Mads Mikkelson) has sworn vengeance on Mufasa who killed his son trying to defend Taka's mother.  They must run, and they meet Sarabi (Tiffany Boone) a stray lioness who is traveling with  Zazu (Preston Nyman), her scout and Rafiki (John Kani) who is leading them to Milele, a supposed place of plenty.  Rafiki wants to go there to meet a long lost brother he saw in a dream.  Mufasa wants to go there as his parent were headed there when the flood came.  However Kiros is still following them.  Sarabi causes and elephant stampede to give them some room from their pursuers.  However in doing so she becomes trapped admist the stamped ad Mufasa rescues her.  Knowing Taka is fond of Sarabi Mufasa gives credit to Taka for the rescue.  However Sarabi sees through this as she has fallen for Mufasa.  Taka is jealous, plots with the pursuers to let them know where they are going.  Consequently when they get to Milele the lions lead by Kiros also arrive.  Our travelers are outnumbered and outwitted.  The animals of Milele rise up with persuading from mufasa and beat back to invading lions.  However Kiros has trapped Mufasa.  Taka realizing his treachery and comes to save Mufasa.  In doind go he is scarred around his eye.  That is how Taka gets a new name.  He is allowed to stay with the pride, but as an outside member.

Not as good as other Disney shows.  This uses computer animation so the animals are more realistic.

Movie Review: ***^X-Men Apocalypse (2016)

 This movie uses the younger X-Men actors putting it chronologically before the original X-Men.  An ancient Egyptian, Apocalypse or En Sabah Nur, has come back to life, who has incredible power which he uses to increase everyone's power, and dong so recruits a good group of X-Men, Magneto, Angel, Storm, Jubilee, Psylocke.  Magneto is easy to recruit because his wife and child were killed by humans.  He is seeking revenge.  In addition they capture Professor Charles Xavier, who is to help them get everyone at the same time, mutant and human.  He is able to send a message to everyone with his powers supplemented by Apocalypse.  

For the other side they are first taken prisoner by Colonel William Stryker.  They have to get away from him, before than can go to Egypt and capture the real bad guy.  They release Wolverine, who was being held for experimentation.  He takes care of all the guards.  

Then they are off to Egypt to confront the real danger.  This sets up a very big confrontation and everyone's loyalties are tested.  Jean finally unleashes her true power.  

Moira shows up as she is investigating the Egyptian phenomena the turned into Apocalypse for the CIA.  Xavier gives her back her memories.

	James McAvoy	...	Professor Charles Xavier
	Michael Fassbender	...	Erik Lehnsherr / Magneto
	Jennifer Lawrence	...	Raven / Mystique
	Nicholas Hoult	...	Hank McCoy / Beast
	Oscar Isaac	...	En Sabah Nur / Apocalypse
	Rose Byrne	...	Moira Mactaggert
	Evan Peters	...	Peter Maximoff / Quicksilver
	Josh Helman	...	Col. William Stryker
	Sophie Turner	...	Jean Grey
	Tye Sheridan	...	Scott Summers / Cyclops
	Lucas Till	...	Alex Summers / Havok
	Kodi Smit-McPhee	...	Kurt Wagner / Nightcrawler
	Ben Hardy	...	Angel
	Alexandra Shipp	...	Ororo Munroe / Storm
	Lana Condor	...	Jubilee
	Olivia Munn	...	Psylocke

Musical Movie Review: *****Wicked (2024)

 Some movies are jest fun to watch, and this is one.  Can we accept things that are different--a woman who is green, animals talking and teaching, a woman who wears a different hat; and what is popularity, and friendship, are the themes of this movie.  You add in the defense of animal rights, a love triangle and a young sister in a wheel chair who wants to stand on her own and you have the makings of a great movie.  The music is superb.  My only complaint is that the story was not concluded but presented only the first act.  We have to wait for the second act.

Cynthia Erivo as Elphaba

Ariana Grande as Galinda/Glinda

Jeff Goldblum as The Wonderful Wizard of Oz

Michelle Yeoh as Madame Morrible 

Marissa Bode as Nessarose

Jonathan Bailey as Prince Flyero

Ethan Slater as Boq

Peter Dinklage as Dr. Dillamond (voice)

Movie Review: ****The Wolverine (2013)

During WWII Wolverine (Hugh Jackman)was a prisoner of war in a Japanese prison camp near Nagasaki.  We see the atomic blast, and wolverine saves a Japanese guard, Yashida (Hal Yamanouchi) using his mutant powers.

Some years later, Yukio (Rila Fukushima) catches up with him in the back country where he has been living since killing Jean, and convinces him to see Yashida one last time as he is dying and wants to say goodbye.  But more is going on.  Viper (Svetlana Khodchenkova) has poisoned Wolverine and he is losing his powers; his regeneration is slower and wounds are not healing as they should.  Yashida passes away shortly after after the say their goodbyes.  But not before he confides to Logan/Wolverine that people are trying to kill his granddaughter, Mariko (Tao Okamoto) and when they make the attempt Wolverine intervenes.  However with his diminished ability.  

In this show we get a view at Japanese culture and customs.  I didn't know it was a bad omen to leave the chopsticks sticking up.  This movie leads to a very tense conclusion.

Disney Animated Movie: **** Aladdin: King of Thieves

With Robin Williams back we have the comedic genius of Genie restored, who even turns into Mr. Doubtfire for a second.  New actors if John Rhys-Davies as the King of Thieves and Jerry Orbach as Sa'luk.

They are finally getting married, Aladdin and Jasmine; but things do not go right at the wedding.  The King of Thieves and his thieves raid on elephant back and destroy everything.  They were after an oracle which will answer one question for you.  Aladdin asks to know where his father might be.  He discovers he is with the thieves.  This results in Aladdin going after the King of Thieves, and the wedding is put on hold.  Everything is now in doubt as we Aladdin has to deal with his heritage.  

Voice Cast:

Robin Williams as The Genie

Scott Weinger as Aladdin

Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine

John Rhys-Davies as the King of Thieves

Gilbert Gottfried as Iago

Val Bettin as Sultan

Frank Welker as Abu (Aladdin's monkey), Fazahl, Raja (Jasmine's tiger)

Jerry Orbach as Sa'luk

Brad Kane as Aladdin (singing voice)

Liz Callaway as Jasmine (singing voice)

Disney Animated Movie Review: ***Aladdin: The Return of Jafar (1994)

Not near as good as the original; and went strait to video rather than to theaters.  The glaring lack is that of Robin Williams.  He is the master and in this case he cannot be copied.

Jafar finally finds someone he can manipulate to touch the lamp, so as to keep himself out of the lamp and able to extract his revenge on Aladdin and Jasmine and her family.   Iago is conflicted in this movie; whether he should be Jafar's second fiddle or strike out on his own.  Jafar has many powers as a genie and a wizard.  However he cannot kill nor make people fall in love.  He imprisons everyone; and imitates Jasmine to order Aladdin's death.  Only the Genie has enough power to save him.

Voice Cast:

Dan Castellaneta as The Genie

Scott Weinger as Aladdin

Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine

Jonathan Freeman as Jafar

Gilbert Gottfried as Iago

Val Bettin as Sultan

Jason Alexander as Abis Mal

Frank Welker as Abu (Aladdin's monkey), Raja (Jasmine's tiger)

Brad Kane as Aladdin (singing voice)

Liz Callaway as Jasmine (singing voice)

Disney Animated Movie Review: *****Aladdin (1992)

 This is a classic movie from Disney, with a love story, and music for the story.  "A Whole New World" is a show stopper, and has been covered by many singers.  And Jafar as is so evil with his side kick Iago.  This show has also been made into a Broadway Musical and was presented at Disneyland theater.  Aladdin becomes a prince with the help of the Genie so as to court Jasmine the princes.  All goes well until Iago steels the lamp and gives it to Jafar; who is evil deep down.  The moral of this story is, be true to yourself.  You don't have to be someone you are not.  Thumbs up for this movie.  Robin Williams excels.

Voice Cast:

Robin Williams as The Genie

Scott Weinger as Aladdin

Linda Larkin as Princess Jasmine

Jonathan Freeman as Jafar

Gilbert Gottfried as Iago

Douglas Seal as Sultan

Frank Welker as Abu (Aladdin's monkey), Cave of Wonders, Raja (Jasmine's tiger)

Brad Kane as Aladdin (singing voice)

Lea Salonga as Jasmine (singing voice)

Return Of Jaffar.  King of Thieves

Disney Movie Review: **** Free Guy (2021)

Free Guy is based on characters from a computer game, non-player characters or NPCs.  And what happens when one of those characters wants a girl.  Guy (Ryan Reynolds) is a teller in a bank that gets robbed everyday.  But one day he sees a girl, Molotovgirl/Millie (Jodie Comer) and goes after her.  She tells him he would need a score of 100 to come after her; So he goes about raising his score by doing good things rather than bad.   Keys (Joe Keery) and Millie are partners as they try to discover how their original code is being used in the game Free Town.  The discover that Guy has become a living AI.  The boss, Antwan (Taika Waititi) of course doesn't want them to be able to prove that he used their code to make his game.  The Free city world is at stake and Guy takes it upon himself to rescue them.  

This is the first movie to come out by Disney post Covid

Animated Disney Movie Review: ****^Moana 2 (2024)

 I took the boys to Moana 2 when I was in Indiana.  I enjoyed it; and the boys even more so.  It had a fresh tale, as Moana is trying to find distant cousins who she feels may also be on the waters someplace.  She is having the greatest difficulty.  This movie comes with new songs: "Beyond," "We're Back," "Chee Ho" and "Song of the Ancestors: Mana Vavau Song."

Auli'i Cravalho as Moana and Dwayne Johnson as Maui again voice the leads on this adventure.  Very fun and highly recommended.

Movie Review: ***Fall Guy (2024)

 This is a movie about stuntmen with a romance and a murder story mixed in.  Emily Blunt portrays Jody Moreno, the director of the film and former love interest of our stuntman, Colt Seavers (Ryan Gosling) who took a bad fall and has been away from the stunt work for a few years.  Tom Ryder (Aaron Taylor-Johnson) is the man he usually stunts for.  Gail Meyer (Hannah Waddingham) is the producer.  The cover up in this case is almost as bad as the original murder.  Our actor, Seavers killed someone showing off.  Meyer is determined to co ver it up, and actually brings in the stuntman to be the fall guy.  This movie high lights stuntmen and consequently there are lots of explosions and plenty of crashes.  This type of movie is very noisy and it over stimulates me.  Emily Blunt in a movie is always enjoyable.

Movie Review: ****^X-Men: First Class

 X-Men series

This version of X-Men provides the origin story for Xavier (James McAvoy), Raven/Mystique (Jennifer Lawrence)  and Eric/Magneto (Michael Fassbender).  In the case of Xavier and Eric different actors are used than the original X-Men.  Sebastian Shaw (Kevin Bacon) is also a mutant, but intent on starting WWIII.  This is around the time of the Cuban missile crisis.  At the end of the show the Russians and thr Americans are facing off over the American embargo of Cuba.  Will war begin?  Will war begin?  Magneto and Xavier work together, but have a falling out by the end over differing techniques.  This movie shows why Xavier was in a wheel chair; among other background stories.  

Movie Review: ***^ X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

X-Men series 

Stryker (Danny Huston) is determined to put together the best strike tam, using mutants.  However with this, behind the scenes he is determined to harvest the powers of all the best mutants, and make a super mutant.  This is how Deadpool (Ryan Reynolds) is created.  However Wolverine/Logan (Hugh Jackman) is the key.  His brother Victor (Liev Schrieber) is pursuing him with this goal in mind.  Although it seems he is just wanting Logan back in the game and is willing to kill people to have his way.  In the end, he is coming for Victor and Stryker (the brains behind everything.). 

Too much violence for my tastes.

X-Men Movies: Summaries and Reviews.

 The X-Men series is now available through Disney +

**** X-Men (2000) The first X-Men made

****X2: X-Men United (2003) The two sides actually unite

***^ X-Men: The Last Stand (2006). Jean destroys everything but Wolverine saves us

***^ X-Men Origins: Wolverine (2009)

****^ X-Men: First Class (2011)

**** The Wolverine (2013)

**** X-Men: Days of Future Past (2014) Very good but bounces from past to present too much 

***^ X-Men Apocalypse (2016)

Deadpool (2016).  rated R  Deadpool as a character was first introduced in X-Men Origins: Wolverine

** Logan (2017) Too much language and too much violence.  Rated R, I watched edited tv version

Deadpool 2 (2018). rated R

**^ Once Upon a Deadpool (2018). An edited down version at the theater but still pretty rough.  Deadpool interacts with X-men.

**** Dark Phoenix (2019). In this movie Jean kills Raven

***The New Mutants (2020)

Deadpool and Wolverine (2024). rated R

Movie Review: ****^Dungeons and Dragons: Honor Among Thieves (2023)

 Since Covid it seems the quality of movies has gone down.  Fortunately this movie is on exception.  It has fun characters and a good story.  It even has a fat dragon.  Edgin (Chris Pine) our thief/planner and Holga (Michelle Rodriguez) the muscle have been betrayed by by a former team member, Forge (Hugh Grant) who has been influenced by a red wizard, Sofina (Daisy Head) who helped Forge become a ruler, and  wealthy.  The red wizard's goal is to take over the population with a half dead curse and create an army to rule.  Forge has fostered Edgin's daughter, Kira (Chloe Coleman), and has manipulated her with lies.  Edgin seeks a talisman which will bring his dead wife back to life.  He engages the help of a wizard, Simon (Justice Smith) who lacks confidence and consequently is not a very good wizard. and a druid, Doric (Sophia Lillis).  She is able to transform from creature to creature.  The talisman is in Forge's safe.  This is protected with many spells.  The only way in is with a helmet which cancels all spells.  Xenk (Regé-Jean Page) who is a Harper (sworn to peace) and reminds Edgin he is a Harper as well.  

The conclusion of this movie is very fun.  It ends much differently than you would expect.  Suffice it to say that Edgin gets his daughter back, but they are still poor.  

Musical Movie Review: ****Dear Evan Hansen (2021)

 The music in Dear Evan Hansen is superb, and you are able to so much better feel the emotion through song.  Towards the first of the movie, Connor commits suicide.  Before this he has a couple of interactions with Evan, not positive.  He yells at him in the hall, and he steals a letter Evan wrote to himself at the suggestion of his therapist.  He also signs Evan's cast.  Evan's parents, Cynthia Murray and Larry Mora find the note, and confront Even to know more of their relationship.  Evan wants to tell the truth, but he doesn't and makes up a history, and his family friend, Jared Kalwani helps him make an email history.   Connor's sister, Zoe, suspects something fishy as the only time he saw them together Connor was yelling at Evan.   Evan's mother, Heidi Hansen is a single mother, and knows of Evan's anxiety but not of his history of having suicidal thoughts.  Sometimes I wonder if making a movie about suicide and depression might make suicide more favorable to someone contemplating suicide.  But in this movie there is hope, in the song Evan sings as a tribute to Connor, You will be found.

Have you ever felt like nobody was there?
Have you ever felt forgotten in the middle of nowhere?
Have you ever felt like you could disappear?
Like you could fall, and no one would hear?

Well, let that lonely feeling wash away
Maybe there's a reason to believe you'll be okay
'Cause when you don't feel strong enough to stand
You can reach, reach out your hand

And oh, someone will coming running
And I know, they'll take you home

Even when the dark comes crashing through
When you need a friend to carry you
And when you're broken on the ground
You will be found
So let the sun come streaming in
'Cause you'll reach up and you'll rise again
Lift your head and look around
You will be found

Ben Platt as Evan Hansen, Kaitlyn Dever as Zoe Murphy, Amy Adams as Cynthia Murphy, Danny Pino as Larry Mora, Julianne Moore as Heidi Hansen, Amandla Stenberg as Alana Beck, Colton Ryan as Connor Murphy and Nik Dodani as Jared Kalwani

Movie Review: Knives Out

 Daniel Craig plays a master detective, Benoit Blanc, and although not affiliated with the police is called in to investigate the death of a rich author.  He was hired by an unknown person.  The victim is a famous author, Harlan Thrombey (Christopher Plummer) who takes medication administered by nurse Marta Cabrera (Ana de Armas).  However one day the medication is administered incorrectly, resulting in an apparent lethal dose, so Thrombey kills himself with a knife to keep suspicion off Cabrera.  The children of the author include Ransom Drysdale (Chris Evans), Linda Drysdale (Jamie Lee Curtis) and Richard Drysdale (Don Johnson).

Thrombey had been disappointed in his progenitors for some time; so had rewritten his will leaving everything to the nurse, whose company he enjoyed.  Ransom was onto this change, and had changed the medication labels so as to trick the nurse to give the wrong medication.  So this sparks a case of blackmail.  Ransom knows the wrong dose was given, and wants Cabrera to give up her claim to the will.  It is only when Craig realizes who hired him that he is able to break the case, but still unable to charge the murderer.

I enjoy a good Agatha Christie, and although this is not an Agatha Christie, it has that feel.  I was completely entertained.  I really enjoyed the character created by Ana de Armas.  She was likable and sympathetic.  The family members were all mostly spoiled brats. 

Disney + Star Wars mini series Review: ****^Ahsoka

 Rosario Dawson stars as Ahsoka, continuing from Clone Wars, Rebels, and Mandalorian.  This is the period after the Empire has been defeated, but Ahsoka is worried about the return of Thrawn.  Sabine Wren (Natasha Liu Bordizzo), was her intern, and becomes that again.  She is also accompanied by a droid, Huyang (David Tennant)a who served at the Jedi temple and help many Jedi construct their light sabers.  Other characters who help them are Hera (Mary Elizabeth Winstead) and Mon Mothma (Genevieve O'Reilly)

Thos who are pursuing the return of Thrawn (Lars Mikkelson)  are Morgan Elsbeth (Diana Lee Inosanto) of the witches, Baylon Skol (Ray Stevenson), former Jedi knight turned to the dark side and his apprentice Shin Hati (Ivanna Sakhno).  Skol appears to be helping, but is more interested in getting to Peridea where he can continue his studies of the dark side of the force.

The first few episodes revolve around finding thrawn and/or Ezra Bridger (Eman Esfandi).  There is a dilemma, in finding Bridger, you also find Thrawn, who can make things very difficult for the New Republic.  The New Republic government however does not believe Thrawn is coming back, as he has been gone for some time.  Consequently Ahsoka and Wren have to solve this on their own.  However they actually get separated, and it appears Ahsoka has been killed.  Wren is taken captive by those looking for Thrawn, and thereby meets Thrawn, and is released to look for Bridger.  And Skol and Hati are sent after her to kill both her and Bridger.  In the meantime, Ahsoka is on her way having traveled by purrgil.

This show is very enjoyable.  It ends with Wren and Ahoska in a terrible fix, and Anakin Skywalker (Hayden Christensen) watching over them.  There is plenty of action, Skol vs Ahsoka, Ahsoka vs Morgan Elsbeth, Shin Hati vs Sabine Wren.  There is a bit too much witchiness for my taste, but in flows into the show.  

Star Wars Disney + TV Review: ****The Skeleton Crew (2024-2025)

 This is an exciting Star Wars show.  There are eight episodes.  The premise is a group of four children enter a space ship, not realizing it is a space ship, and end up launching themselves into space.  Turns out the ship they are on is connected with pirates, and manned by a robot, SM33.  SM33 is programed with the pirate code, but a great part of his memory is missing.  At any rate when the kids ask him to take them home, he takes them to a pirate port.  This is where they meet Jod Na Nawood, who has Jedi traits; including a light saber and ability to use telekinesis.  

The kids are from the planet At Attin, a mythical planet where there gold credits are manufactured.  However it is also a hidden world.  The kids hold the key to finding the planet, and are much wanted.  When Nawood befriends them, does he want to help them, or exploit them.  

In the meantime the parents of the children are determined to find their children as the local government is not helping.  Government is totally droid, and the administrator is a large computer.

I would recommend this ride for anyone into Star Wars.

Jude Law as Jod Na Nawood, a mysterious pirate/Jedi?

Ravi Cabot-Conyers as Wim. Youth from At Attin and discovers what he thinks might be a Jedi temple

Ryan Kiera Armstrong as Fern. A youth whose mother is an administrator,  She races scooters and is up for a good adventure

Kyriana Kratter as KB. Fern's friend who has a cyborg implant due to an accident

Robert Timothy Smith as Neel. A Myykian boy (elephant like being) who is Wim's best friend.  

Nick Frost as SM33. A pirate robot who is voiced by Frost.  He is discovered on the ship which use to belong to a pirate captain that had discovered to location of At Attin.  

Star Wars Reviews

***** Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)  

****^ Star Wars: Episode V - The Empire Strikes Back (1980)

***** Star Wars: Episode VI - Return of the Jedi (1983)

** The Ewok Adventure TV Movie (1984)

**^ Ewoks: The Battle for Endor TV Movie (1985)

****^ Star Wars: Episode I - Phantom Menace (1999)

***^ Star Wars: Episode II - Attack of the Clones (2002)

**** Star Wars: Clone Wars (2003-2005) animated for TV

**** Star Wars: Episode III - The Revenge of the Sith (2005)

Star Wars: The Clone Wars ( 2008-2020)

Star Wars: Rebels (2014-2018)

**** Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens (2015)

****^ Rogue One: A Star Wars Story (2016) 

**** Star Wars Episode VIII - The Last Jedi (2017)

**** Solo: A Star Wars Story (2018)

Star Wars: Resistance (2018-2020)

Star Wars: ***** Mandalorian (2019 - )

****^ Star Wars: Episode IX - The Rise of Skywalker (2019)

***^ The Book of Boba Fett (2021-2022)

****^. Star Wars: The Bad Batch. (2021-2024)

**** TV animated Star Wars: Tales of the Jedi (2022)

****^ TV Star Wars: Obi Wan Kenobi (2022)

****^TV Star Wars: Andor (2022)

****^ Ahsoka (2023)

 **^ TV Star Wars: The Acolyte (2024)

**** TV Star Wars: Skeleton Crew (2025)

Star Wars Disney + TV Review: **^The Acolyte

 I did not like this series as much as other Star Wars projects.  They went to great lengths to make the Jedi look bad and be the villains, and the witches the good people.  Also too much "woke" for my tastes.  (The witches conceive the twins without benefit of a man.)  But then they do have light sabers and light saber duels; but the final goal is to kill a Jedi without a weapon.  

Lee Jung-Jae as Master Sol

Amandla Stenberg as twins Mae and Osha Aniseya

Manny Jacinto as The Stranger and Qimir

Movie Review: At the Movies: ****Captain America: Brave New World (2025)

 I found this movie very entertaining.  The president (Harrison Ford) is the character Thaddeus Ross, who had a thing against the Hulk.  This seems to still influence him, as his daughter, Betty Ross (Liv Tyler) avoids him as a result, and he is trying to prove that he has changed.

The part of the movie which is a bit confusing as an island has appeared with a new mineral more precious than vibranium.  The show starts with Falcon/Captain America (Anthony Mackie) and Joaquin Torres (Danny Ramirez) recovering it.  As a result they are invited to the Whitehouse.  Isaiah Bradley (Carl Lumbley) the African American who was not accepted as a super hero but incarcerated for 30 years for experimentation by Ross, attends with them.  

At the reception, Bradley, along with five other attendees start shooting at the president; however they do not kill him.  They are all arrested.  The President had asked Captain America to reform the Avengers, but withdraws the offer and doesn't want anything to do with Captain America.  Ruth Bat-Seraph (Shira Haas) portrays the secret service agent assigned to resolve the assassination attempt.  She is a former Black Widow.  

Samuel Sterns (Tim Blake Nelson) is the man behind all the bad stuff happening, including mind control and use of the super-human serum.  He almost brings the U.S. and Japan to war fighting over the new mineral.  When things to be almost resolved; they are not.  We are introduced to a new Hulk and Captain America has met his match.

TV miniseries Review: Marvel Disney+: ****The Falcon and the Winter Soldier (2021)

 This is wonderful extension of the Captain America saga, as the title changes hands.  At first Sam Wilson isn't sure if he can take up the mantle of Captain America, so gives up the shield.  Bucky, who was the Captain's best friend is disappointed.  The government gives the shield and title to John Walker.  

Our heroes are confronted by a group of super soldiers called the Flag Smashers.  They are feeling life was better off during the period of the blip, when resources weren't spread so thin.  Now there are millions of people who have reappeared and are basically homeless, or putting others out.  Karli Morgenthau is the leader of this group.  With their super strength they are formidable combatants. The Falcon and Bucky are out to track them down.  They are joined in the hunt by Zemo and Sharon Carter.  John Walker, Captain America tracks them down by following The Falcon.   

After taking the last dosage of super soldier serum, John Walker disgraces the shield.  This leads to a major confrontation between he, and The Falcon and Bucky.  The Falcon is now ready to take up the mantl of Captain America.  

Subplots include Isaiah Bradley, who was given serum some 30 years prior, but his African American status lead to his incarceration for 30 years while the experimented on him.  Joaquin Torres is The Falcon's liaison in the military.  Another subplot is Sam Wilson's family's struggling business, and Bucky coming to terms with his past as The Winter Soldier, where under mind control he killed many people.  In the end the government is going to. do better to reconcile with the ideas of the Flag Smashers.

Anthony Mackie as The Falcon, Captain America, Sam Wilson.

Sebastian Stan as Bucky Barnes, The Winter Soldier.

Erin Kellyman as Karli Morgenthau, leader of the Flag Smashers.

Wyatt Russell as John Walker, Captain America, U.S.Agent.

Daniel Brühl as Baron Helmut Zemo.

Danny Ramirez as Joaquin Torres.

Emily VanCamp as Sharon Carter, Power Broker, a former SHIELD agent.

Carl Lumbly as Isaiah Bradley

PBS TV Review: ****^Death Comes to Pemberly

 This is a tv miniseries presented on PBS Masterpiece.  There are three episodes.  It is very well done and captures the characters of the previouse PBS miniseries Pride and Prejudice but with all different actors.  Many times I was reminded of the original characters, their mannerisms and personalities, which was very gratifying as this presentation as a continuation of the characters.  The Darcys have a son, and the household is preparing for a ball.  However the preparations are halted after Lydia shows up the the estate in hysterics.  Her husband, and Denny went into the woods, and then two shots were hear, which spooked the horses and they were guided to Pemberly.  

A search party is formed and the discover that Denny has been murdered; and it looks like Wickham is the culprit.  Although Denny and Wickham are best friends.  Lydia was not invited to the ball, due to past issues with Wickham and Darcy's sister; but she came anyway thinking Darcy would not turn her away.

It is clear that Denny and Wickham were having an argument.  And Wickham first said he was responsible for Denny's death; but he insists he did not kill him.  He saw someone else in the woods and shot Denny's pistol in the general direction.  Wickham is arrested and held over for trial.

Other story incudes the courtship of Georgianna by Colonel Fitzwilliam, and the barrister Henry Alveston.  When the drams is at its worse, Eliza's sister Jane shows up to restore calm to Eliza.  She has a way of seeing good.  This story is well told.  It is based on a book by P.D. James.  It was published in 2011 when James was 91.  James is a mistery writer and there is the flavor of mystery and sleuthing in this book.

This story is very well told.  I like coming back to these characters.  The movie maintains their characters very well.

Anna Maxwell Martin as Elizabeth Darcy, Matthew Rhys as Fitzwilliam Darcy, Matthew Goode as George Wickham, Jenna Coleman as Lydia Wickham, Tom Ward as Colonel Fitzwilliam, Eleanor Tomlinson as Georgiana Darcy, Alexandra Moen as Jane Bingley and James Norton as Henry Alveston.

Movie Review: ****^ Unbreakable (2000)

 In "Unbreakable" we are introduced to a new superhero, and his nemesis.  The superhero, David Dunn, aka security, hero is portrayed by Bruce Willis.  The nemesis is Elijah Price or Glass and is portrayed by Samuel Jackson.  Robin Wright portrays Dunn's wife, and Charlayne Woodard, Price's mother.  

Dunn survives a train crash, with no injuries, in which everyone else passes away.  In then meets the comic book salesman, Price, who convinces Dunn that he has super abilities.  He also tells him that he has never been sick, other than almost drowning.  They determine water is his kryptonite.  

Price has had an opposite life.  He is born with a genetic defect in which his bones are brittle.  He has been in and out of hospitals, and his mother accused of child abuse.  

Dunn begins to test his abilities with his son (Spencer Treat Clark).  He lifts heavier and heavier weight.  He really is a superhero.  He also has a sense which tells him others have done wrong.  With this ability he is able to save several people, and makes it into the papers.  His wife knows nothing of his training and tests, but he lets his son know.

The whole plot changes when Dunn touches Price and sees the terrible things he has done. I highly recommend this movie.

Movie Review: **Flow (2024)

 Watched the movie "Flow" on Max last night and ended with the feeling, "I don't get the point."  It was a movie about four animals, five if you count the bird, who travel together.  Only four make it to the end where they see themselves reflected in a pool as a team.  The animals are cat, dog, lemur and capybara.  They are even from different continents so in the respect the movie does not make sense.  Capybara is from South America, lemur from Africa.  I read some reviews which points out that the movie is about working together with those you don't really trust.  I felt the highlight was when the cat caught fish for the others, which was ruined by the dogs they took on; one of them ate all the fish.  I thought about taking the grandkids to this movie, but I am glad I didn't.  There was no dialogue in the entire film.  Just a flood that would never stop.